From: North Carolina

Hi Tax Mama,

I saw the new mileage rates in Issue 284.

My question is about the Charity mileage rate.

I am a member of the Christian Motorcyclists Association (CMA) and we travel to many events each year both locally and nationally, ministering to motorcyclists and assisting other groups with benefits, rallies, etc.

I want to share with our local chapter members and others what is deductible on the mileage we travel volunteering in CMA.

We are going somewhere almost every weekend and have some members that are ministering in prisons weekly.

What can we deduct?

Is the mileage to attend our monthly meetings deductible
or just when we go somewhere else representing CMA and doing CMA work?

Thank You, 
Chuck Denton

 

 

Dear Chuck

It sounds like your group has a lot of fun and does a lot of good!

The charity mileage rates are set by Congress, so they haven't changed for the year. They are still limited to 14 cents per mile. (See the explanation in last week's issue.)

Now the question is, which miles are charity?

Certainly, anytime you go to events and prisons.

Add in times you go to meetings.

Add in times you go shopping to pick up supplies and gifts and donations.

Essentially, Chuck, anytime you're doing something to help out, or that's related to the mission of CMA, count the mileage.

Due to the movies, many people still think bikers
are rogues.  And that the only way to  be cool is
to be an outlaw. Clearly, this is not so!

All the ones I've known have been stand-up guys.
Even my husband...well, at least until he totaled
the bike and decided to get his truck. (Oh, he's
still a good guy - just bikeless.)

But, seriously, you're performing a valuable service
as role models for prisoners and others.

I applaud you! Keep on rolling along.

Best wishes,
Eva Rosenberg, MBA, EA